Did you know Kissena Park’s name comes from the Chippewa language? It means “it is cold” or “cool water” a fitting description for Kissena Lake. Kissena Park in Flushing Queens is more than just a pretty face. It’s a 235-acre green space with a rich history.
Originally part of Samuel Parsons’ tree nursery in the late 19th century Kissena Park opened in 1910. Parsons’ nursery was famous. It imported thousands of Japanese maples yearly. It even introduced the California privet to the United States. Kissena Lake itself was once a mill pond then used for ice cutting.
Imagine the scene. Workers harvesting ice from the lake. This was before refrigeration. The lake’s transformation wasn’t always smooth. In 1942 a renovation turned it into a “bathtub lake”. Later restorations in 1983 and 2003 cleaned up algae and improved the lake’s ecosystem. Today Kissena Lake supports a variety of birds and turtles.
Kissena Park is more than a lake. It’s home to New York City’s only remaining velodrome. Built in 1962 this track hosted cycling events. It even played a part in the 1964 Olympics. After years of disrepair the velodrome was beautifully restored in 2004.
The park also holds two war memorials. One honors Queens soldiers from World War I. The other a more recent addition celebrates Korean War veterans. Kissena Park is part of the Kissena Corridor Park a network of parks linked by a former Long Island Rail Road line.
The area around Kissena Park wasn’t always so green. Landfills once dotted the landscape. Construction projects even used the area as a temporary dump. Today the park offers playgrounds sports fields and miles of trails. It’s a haven for birdwatchers. Over 200 bird species have been spotted here. Kissena Park is a testament to urban renewal. It’s a place where nature and history intertwine in the heart of Queens. A place that transforms from a forgotten swamp into a thriving community space. It is a place to enjoy a walk and reflect on the rich past of this vibrant park.